I don't clean the house very often.

When I say that, I mean I don't go into those places that nobody ever goes in. I don't go clean under the basement stairs. I don't clean behind the refrigerator. I don't go into the garage and clean under the tool bench. I'll pick up around the house, sure. Clean the bathroom, the kitchen, pick up clothes and occasionally sweep the porch. But the hidden stuff? No.

I think that's pretty normal, really. You should clean the house (the whole house) once a year. Normally, in the US, it's called "spring cleaning." Once the weather begins to warm up, people start feeling more energetic, they want to do what they haven't done in a while. It's hard, but it feels good.

About a year ago, I went against my normal routine and decided to clean behind the washing machine. I got my brush and some paper towels and liquid cleaner, went into the laundry room and got ready to clean like it was my job.

The washer wasn't level. It rocked a little bit and made a noise when it ran. One of the legs in the back was either broken or missing completely. I didn't really care. It did, however, make it difficult to move. The dryer, which was right next to it, made it even harder because I couldn't move the dryer until the washer was moved.

It was complicated, but I did it.

I pulled the washing machine out away from the wall, peeked up over it, and as I looked down I came face-to-face with a giant spider. I'm not sure what kind he was or how long he'd been there. I jumped back, ran to get my camera, and got a picture of my not-so-little friend.

I stood there pointing the camera at him, trying to get the picture just right, the entire time hoping he didn't jump onto my lens. The second the shot was taken, I ran out of the room.

It's probably still dirty back there.